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Ireland and Plumtree to part ways

The Irish Rugby Football Union has said that forwards coach John Plumtree will leave his role with the country after the Argentina Tests.

The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has said that forwards coach John Plumtree will leave his role with the country after June's Argentina Tests.

Plumtree, who joined the Ireland coaching team in September 2013, is a New Zealander and it's rumoured he may be heading to the Hurricanes.

“I have really enjoyed working with Joe (Schmidt), Les (Kiss) and the players over the last few months. But, at the end of the day, family must come first and we must do what we think is best for the Plumtree family,” he told the IRFU.

“I would like to thank the IRFU for their understanding and wish everyone involved in Irish rugby the best of luck for the future.”

Ireland team manager Michael Kearney added: “The Ireland squad and management team would like to thank John for his contribution to the team's success over the past season.

“We are sad to see him go but our best wishes are with John and his family on their return to New Zealand.”